Errington speaks in favor of legislation to reduce meth labs in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) took to the House floor today to speak passionately on behalf of her district, advocating for legislation that would reduce the number of meth labs in Indiana.

House Bill 1390, which was approved by the House, would require the Indiana Board of Pharmacy to enact a set of emergency rules that would stem the tide of meth production in the state by allowing pharmacists to distribute Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine at their discretion.

The resulting bill is a compromise, ensuring that people who are manufacturing meth are unable to obtain their desired ingredients while protecting consumers’ rights to purchase over-the-counter products for their medical needs.

“Indiana has the unfortunate distinction of being a leader in meth production in the United States,” said Errington. “Delaware County has proven to be no exception, bearing the title of the number one meth producer in the state.

“This is not just a few meth busts. Delaware County has seen 234 busts in 2015 alone while only a few other counties in the state exceed 50 busts,” continued Errington. “There is no denying that Delaware County is facing a very serious problem.”

The legislation also takes into account the needs of Hoosiers who need ephedrine or pseudoephedrine products to control their allergies.

“I have heard from a number of constituents who are concerned about having access to their cold or allergy medications,” said Errington. “For some individuals, going to the doctor to obtain a prescription is not an option.

“That’s why I’m so pleased to see the direction this bill took. I think it really hit a “sweet spot,” cracking down on meth while still allowing people to access their medicine over-the-counter,” continued Errington. “The bill creates a number of ways for individuals to access their medicine, even if they are new to the area.

“This legislation gained strong bipartisan support, passing by an overwhelming majority in the House,” concluded Errington. “I hope we can see the same thing happen in the Senate.”